Titans Genesis: Raven

4. Rachel Roth

Rachel and Mother Harumi sit around the table, eating fish-shaped bread stuffed with sweetened bean paste. Rachel smiles slightly as she takes another bite. Taiyaki bread has always been her favourite treat. Well, second favourite. Her favourite are still the Marble Chocolates she keeps hidden under her bed mat.

Rachel sighs and drinks her tea. She hates being locked up this way but she doesn't seem to have any choice at the moment. After what happened at the lake, Rachel has now been feeling tired and light-headed. She hoped the tea would calm her nerves, but her hands still tremble. Even Mother Harumi seems to be frightened by the event.

"Would you like to talk about what happened?" Mother Harumi says gently.

"I already said what happened?" Rachel speaks softly before sipping her tea.

"Are you sure what you saw was real?"

"You may believe I've lost my mind. But I know what I saw."

"You said the demon was showing you visions. Would you like to tell me about them?"

Rachel shakes her head. "I rather not talk about it."

Mother Harumi holds her head. "Talking will make you feel better."

"...It showed me many things. Floods. Earthquakes. People dying. It was so sad and awful. And then there was this gate..."

"A gate?"

"Yes."

"To where?"

"I don't know. But the gate glowed a blood red and I kept hearing the same voice calling Akumu. But I don't know who Akumu is."

Mother Harumi remains silent for a moment. "I don't know... But remember, demons are tricksters. They lie. Whatever that thing showed you, it's probably false. They'll do anything to hurt you."

"But why would it come to me? Is it because I'm weak?"

"No, you're not weak."

"Then, why attack me? I'm so confused. And scared."

"You shouldn't be scared."

"It attacked me in my time of peace and it showed me things I don't understand. I want to understand but at the same time, I'm too scared to understand."

"Sometimes, it's best if you don't understand. There are some things that one should never know."

"But...what if in order to destroy evil, I must understand it."

Rachel watches Harumi press her lips together. What is she thinking?

Harumi then smiles at her. "Hey, let's not talk about such things. Let's try to enjoy our tea. All right?"

"I don't know how I will enjoy my tea now."

"...I have something for you."

Rachel looks up at her, eyes blinking curiously. "What is it?"

Harumi smiles and reaches into her robe. "I was going to save this for your birthday next week but I thought you might like to have it today."

Rachel's eyes lighten when Harumi pulls out a ruby pendant necklace surrounded by iron framework. A broad smile crosses Rachel's face as she reaches for the necklace and takes it.

"Mother, it's beautiful!"

Harumi smiles as well. "I knew you would love it. The jewel is made of pure ruby. It will protect you from evil. Father Torao helped me pick it out in Tokyo."

"Can I wear it on my birthday?" she asks.

"Oh...Um, I thought you would wear it today."

"Well, yes, but didn't you say that Father Torao helped you pick it out? Wouldn't he be upset if he found out you ruined the surprise?"

"Hmm. Maybe you're right." Harumi smiles and pets her head. "Look at you. All growing up and smart. I remember you were just a small bundle in my arms. You almost never cried. And that scared me sometimes."

"But when I did cry, I was quite loud," Rachel says.

Harumi giggles and nods. "Indeed. I wanted you to stay a baby forever so I can always hold you."

"...Do you think my mom would have wanted to hold me?" Rachel asks meekly. "If she was still alive, I mean."

Harumi's smile falls slightly and she sighs. "Um, I'm sure she would have."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful."

Harumi takes her hand. "No, I'm sorry. You have every right to ask about your mother."

"What was she like?"

"Well, she was a lot like you. Smart. Strong. Beautiful. However, I always thought she wouldn't make for a good mother. She wouldn't take care of her body while having you. Always drinking and smoking. That's why you were born so small."

"And is that why she died while giving birth to me?"

"Yes, but let's not worry about that now. The important thing is that you're here and you have use looking after you."

Rachel smiles a little and hugs Harumi tightly. "Thank you, Mother...Can we sing the song?"

"Which one?"

"You know which one."

"Well, all right. Come closer, my child."

Rachel gets closer to Harumi's side and rests her head on her lap. Harumi gently rakes her fingers through Rachel's black bangs.

"We lay my love and I beneath the weeping willow," Harumi sings softly, like she used to do when she cradled three-year-old Rachel. "But now alone I lie and weep beside the tree. Singing 'Oh willow waly' by the tree that weeps with me. Singing 'Oh willow waly' till my lover returns to me..."